Although his primary goal is to be ready for another season as the Winnipeg Jets captain, a looming lockout has forced Ladd to consider his alternatives, should a work stoppage drag on.

“I started looking at different options,” Ladd said Monday morning. “It’s what we do, we play hockey. If it’s not going to work out here, we have to find out somewhere to stay in shape and stay sharp.

“Europe is definitely an option guys are going to want to (pursue). Playing games is the biggest thing. We should find out more in the coming weeks, when we know exactly what is going on.”

Ladd was still playing for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League during the last lockout, but as a guy with American Hockey League experience, we asked him what advice he’d give young players who might have to go down to the minors until labour peace is achieved.

“They have to keep working to get better,” said Ladd. “You saw it in the last lockout. Sometimes, it’s better to play lots and develop and get that confidence at that level too. It’s not a bad thing, even though everyone wants to be playing in the NHL. You want to make the best with what you’ve got and work at your game.

“If there is a lockout, a lot of guys will be going down and it will make the (AHL) that much better. It’s not the ideal situation, but you’ve got to make the best of it and try to get better as a player.”

Two players who fit the criteria for the Jets are forwards Alex Burmistrov and Patrice Cormier, who are each going into the final season of their entry-level contracts.

However, in the event of a lockout, it’s not yet known whether Burmistrov would join the St. John’s IceCaps or pursue a deal in the Kontinental Hockey League instead.

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